Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

The Life of a Twin
Twins. You see them a lot, believe it or not. Fraternal twins are genetic and run in families. In fact, fraternal twins run in my own family. Identical twins, however, are a little bit more rare. I am an identical twin.
By Xandra XCM7 years ago in Families
Finding Purpose
I always knew I wanted to be a mum. Maternal instincts came naturally to me, even from a young age. While our birth mum neglected and abused us, I had cared for my younger siblings in ways a five-year-old never should have to. And as tragic as all that was, from those events that I experienced I have learnt what NOT to do. I now have wonderful parents who took up the role of looking after me and I honestly feel I am a better person because of all the things I’ve experienced. And I still felt so sure that motherhood was for me.
By Megan Wright7 years ago in Families
Sibling Abuse (Potential Triggers)
About 2.5 weeks ago this turned my life upside down. First off, we need to understand what sibling abuse is. Just like other types of big name abuses, sibling abuse can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Now when I was asking some people "how do you know if you are a victim of sibling abuse?" I got the same response: "Did they touch you sexually?" That completely infuriated my knowing that people only think that abuse is sexual, which also says a lot as to why women who are being physically abused tend to keep quiet.
By Adrianna E.7 years ago in Families
It Shouldn't Be a Secret Society...
As I sit here with a hot water bottle, each painful cramp is a painful reminder that my baby is gone. I never thought having a baby would be this difficult. It is my first pregnancy and it's only when you fall into forums that you realise how common miscarriage and pregnancy loss is.
By Aimee W7 years ago in Families
Nosey?
A few of my friends are now reaching the point where they have been with significant others for a long period of time. So now as tradition would typically dictate in our society's norms, naturally the progression of conversation moves towards commitment and wedding dates. One particular close relationship I know has a couple who have been together 12 years. They live together and love each other dearly as if they were man and wife. But do you know something? THEY AREN'T MARRIED!!! Throw them stones and cast aside the social leper because apparently that is the done thing! How wrong are we today? Oh, let me count the ways!
By Dawn Elizabeth7 years ago in Families
Help My Mom and I
Above is a link to GoFundMe account that I started on behalf of my mother. This is hard since we like to do things on our own and for ourselves. She deserves to get the health care that she needs and it seems like it can only be provided up north where the state will help her with insurance and all. I am essentially doing this alone since all our money ends up going towards rent in the hotel (as stated in GFM). I just need help, all I'm asking is to donate if you can or share the link. We leave in a little less than two months and that gives no time to get her properly checked, but something is better than nothing at this point. Please. I don't beg but please anything can help.
By Adrianna E.7 years ago in Families
Daddy's Little Girl
“I was just eight years old. I asked mommy why your face was so cold? I didn't want to believe that you are dead. It was too early for you to be in that coffin bed. You passed away March 7, 2006. You’re gone, there is nothing I can fix. That night I waited for you to knock on the door. But you didn't, now I know you’re not in my life no more.”
By Aaliyah Baez7 years ago in Families
My Son
I was 24 years old when I found out I was pregnant. I was nervous and excited all at once. I had no idea what to do, how was I going to be a mom? I asked myself day in and day out, how do I take care of a tiny person? How am I going to provide for him? What do I do? Having to tell my friends, my family, and my child’s father was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. When I first took the pregnancy test, I didn’t believe it. I kept telling myself, “There’s no way this is true!” I called one of my best friends and asked her what I should do. I ended up going to the emergency room and checking myself in to just be 100% sure, sure enough... blood work and an ultrasound, I found out I was 5 weeks, 4 days pregnant. Now, on to telling my mom, my dad, my brothers... family is supposed to support you, am I right?! Well, I felt like I was disappointing everyone when I told them I was pregnant (again). I had an ectopic pregnancy when I had just turned 22... worst thing ever. My mom has no idea what to say or think but she supported every decision I made. My mom was there every step of the way for me. She attended appointments, she held my hair when I had morning sickness, she’d cook me food when I didn’t have the energy to get out of bed, she bought so much stuff for myself and my son.
By Emma Walsh7 years ago in Families
PPD and First Time Mom
Brace yourself, this is going to get very personal. I just want other mothers that are going through this to know that they are not alone and shouldn't feel ashamed of talking to someone about their feelings. If your significant other can't be understanding enough to talk with you through all this, find a friend you can confide in. Make sure it's a close friend or family member you can trust because you don't want to tell someone that isn't your friend your deepest feelings about your new mom journey.
By Clarissa Candelario7 years ago in Families
Things No One Told Me About the Second Trimester...
When I wrote my original article about my first trimester woes, I was so excited to be entering the second trimester, hoping to settle comfortably into the magic of pregnancy that I had heard so much about, but that didn’t happen. Although I am now very excited to meet my son, I’m starting to plan and nest. We have started buying baby things and the names list is getting more and more concise. There are still things that haven’t quite fit into this idyllic pregnancy scenario that I had painted up in my head since I was a kid. Everyone from my friends, to my midwife, to the internet had told me: Your second trimester is the best bit, you will have an energy burst, your sickness will go, your hormones will settle! It’s supposed to be the enjoyable bit before the gruelling third where you drag around a huge belly and can’t tie your own laces. Well, as I head swiftly toward my third trimester, here is what I have to say about my second.
By Samantha Bentley7 years ago in Families
The Single Mom
I had a plan. Finish school, get married, and have kids. God had something else up his sleeves. Never did I expect to become a mom at age 21, let alone becoming a single mom. When I took the home pregnancy test and I saw that this time this test was positive, I was shocked. Full of emotions (I have had other pregnancy scares in the past with my best friend), I told my best friend/father of my child I was pregnant over a text message, since he wasn't answering his phone. I felt alone because I knew what his reaction was going to be. During this time, he and I were going through some things to where we were not in a healthy place. I truly thought it was going to be me and my child forever in the beginning. He didn't want anything to do with our baby when I found out. It took months for him to come around. He may have been there my whole pregnancy, but he caused me a lot of stress. I had many nights where I cried myself to sleep. I would find myself walking into work with red eyes because he was making me cry. Never was it easy. I was hurting a lot and he seem like he didn't care about my feelings or about the stress he was putting on to our baby.
By Devin Mitchell7 years ago in Families
Understanding My Parents: Pressures of Motherhood and the Motherhood Penalty
My parents got married at 25 and at the time, they were considered to be married pretty late. Since they were a love marriage and they got married so late, the pressure was building to have a child as soon as they were declared husband and wife. My mother often repeated the fact that her mother and her mother-in-law wanted a grandchild. They were itching to grow the family even more. From what I do remember of my grandmothers, they were the type of women who enjoyed cooking cleaning and doting on their families, especially their grandkids, so I completely understand why they would pressure my mom for a kid. However, my mother didn't want to have a child immediately after getting married.
By Mya Bhava7 years ago in Families